Lilydale vs Mooroolbark.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $957,500 and $880,000. Lilydale edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Mooroolbark (median $880,000) is roughly 9% cheaper to buy into than Lilydale ($957,500).
Lilydale scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 16/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Lilydale (1029) sits above Mooroolbark (1018).
For buyers
Mooroolbark is the lower entry point at $880,000 median, 9% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Lilydale offers the higher gross rental yield (3.26% vs 2.36%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Lilydale edges out on average school ICSEA (1029 vs 1018).
Common questions
Is Lilydale or Mooroolbark cheaper to buy in?
Mooroolbark has the lower median house price at $880,000, roughly 9% below Lilydale ($957,500). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Lilydale or Mooroolbark have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Lilydale scores 1029 vs 1018 in Mooroolbark. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Which is more walkable, Lilydale or Mooroolbark?
Lilydale scores 100/100 on walkability vs 16/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Lilydale or Mooroolbark?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.26% in Lilydale vs 2.36% in Mooroolbark. Gross yield equals annual rent divided by purchase price. Net yield (after strata, rates, insurance, agent fees and maintenance) typically runs 1.5-2 percentage points lower.
The numbers behind the take
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
Compare Lilydale against another suburb